Oscillating valve

Abstract

Systems and methods described herein provide a pilot-operated oscillating valve that uses a battery. The valve is configured such that when a diaphragm is in a closed position, pressure of a fluid supply opens the valve, and when the diaphragm is in an open position, the pressure of the fluid closes the valve. An actuator causes the diaphragm to be arrested selectively in the open position or the closed position. The state of the actuator is switchable with a small expenditure of energy, enabling an extended duty cycle for a battery or other power source associated with the actuator. In some implementations, energy from the oscillating movement of the diaphragm may be captured to recharge the battery for the actuator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An oscillating valve, comprising:
 a housing including a supply orifice that receives fluid and a consumption orifice that expels fluid;   a diaphragm defining a first volume and a second volume within the housing, wherein the supply orifice is configured to supply fluid into the first volume and the consumption orifice is configured to expel the fluid from the first volume, and wherein the diaphragm includes a restricted flow path to permit fluid flow between the first volume and the second volume;   a pilot channel connecting the second volume to the consumption orifice;   a main valve connected to the diaphragm,
 wherein the diaphragm is configured to move between a closed position in which the main valve prevents fluid flow through the first volume and an open position in which the main valve permits fluid flow through the first volume, 
 wherein, when the diaphragm is in the closed position, first fluid pressure in the first volume forces the diaphragm toward the open position, and 
 wherein, when the diaphragm is in the open position, second fluid pressure in the second volume forces the diaphragm toward the closed position; and 
   an actuator configured to selectively prevent movement of the diaphragm away from the closed position and prevent movement of the diaphragm away from the open position.   
     
     
         2 . The oscillating valve of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to prevent movement of the diaphragm away from the closed position or prevent movement of the diaphragm away from the open position without operating against the first or second fluid pressures. 
     
     
         3 . The oscillating valve of  claim 1 , wherein the restricted flow path comprises one or more bleed holes that permit fluid through the diaphragm. 
     
     
         4 . The oscillating valve of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a pilot valve connected to the diaphragm,   wherein the pilot valve prevents fluid through the pilot channel when the diaphragm is in the closed position, and   wherein the pilot valve permits fluid through the pilot channel when the diaphragm is in the open position.   
     
     
         5 . The oscillating valve of  claim 4 , wherein the actuator is configured to engage a feature on the pilot valve to prevent movement of the diaphragm. 
     
     
         6 . The oscillating valve of  claim 4 , wherein the actuator is further configured to selectively:
 permit oscillation of the diaphragm between the closed position and the open position.   
     
     
         7 . The oscillating valve of  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm does not permit fluid transfer between the first volume and the second volume. 
     
     
         8 . The oscillating valve of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a shaft attached on an opposite side of the diaphragm from the main valve, and   a latch, connected to the actuator and configured to selectively engage with the shaft.   
     
     
         9 . The oscillating valve of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a battery that powers the actuator.   
     
     
         10 . The oscillating valve of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a recharging system configured to harvest energy from oscillation motion of the diaphragm, wherein the recharging system charges the battery.   
     
     
         11 . The oscillating valve of  claim 10 , wherein the recharging system includes:
 a shaft attached to a portion of the diaphragm, wherein the shaft includes a magnet, and   an induction coil, wherein motion of the diaphragm moves the magnet to generate electric current.   
     
     
         12 . The oscillating valve of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a return spring biased against expansion of the diaphragm into the second volume.   
     
     
         13 . The oscillating valve of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pilot valve connected to the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm is axially aligned with a valve seat for the pilot valve.   
     
     
         14 . The oscillating valve of  claim 13 , wherein the diaphragm is axially aligned with a valve seat for the pilot valve. 
     
     
         15 . The oscillating valve of  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a substantially cylindrical internal space, and
 wherein the diaphragm is axially aligned with a valve seat for the main valve.   
     
     
         16 . The oscillating valve of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator include a solenoid. 
     
     
         17 . The oscillating valve of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an additional valve in the pilot channel, wherein the additional valve is actuated independently from the actuator.   
     
     
         18 . A valve system, comprising:
 a housing including a supply orifice and a consumption orifice;   a piston defining a first volume and a second volume within the housing, the piston including a restricted flow path to permit fluid flow through or around the piston between the first volume and the second volume;   a pilot channel connecting the second volume to the consumption orifice;   a main valve connected to the piston,
 wherein the piston is configured to move between a closed position in which the main valve prevents fluid flow through the first volume and an open position in which the main valve permits fluid flow through the first volume, 
 wherein, when the piston is in the closed position, first fluid pressure in the first volume forces the piston toward the open position, and 
 wherein, when the piston is in the open position, second fluid pressure in the second volume forces the piston toward the closed position; and 
   a battery-powered actuator configured to selectively prevent movement of the piston away from the closed position and prevent movement of the piston away from the open position.   
     
     
         19 . The valve system of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a pilot valve connected to the piston,
 wherein the pilot valve prevents fluid through the pilot channel when the piston is in the closed position, and 
 wherein the pilot valve permits fluid through the pilot channel when the piston is in the open position. 
   
     
     
         20 . A method performed by an oscillating valve that includes a housing having a supply orifice and a consumption orifice, a piston defining a first volume and a second volume within the housing, the piston permitting fluid flow through or around the piston between the first volume and the second volume, a pilot channel connecting the second volume to the consumption orifice, a main valve connected to the piston, and an actuator configured to selectively prevent movement of the piston away from a closed position and prevent movement of the piston away from an open position, the method comprising:
 positioning the piston in the closed position, which causes the main valve to prevent fluid flow through the first volume from the supply orifice to the consumption orifice;   receiving fluid into the supply orifice while an output from the consumption orifice is open, wherein pressure of the fluid into the supply orifice is greater than pressure of the fluid exiting the consumption orifice;   moving, in response to receiving the fluid, the piston to the open position, which causes the main valve to permit fluid flow through the first volume from the supply orifice to the consumption orifice;   automatically arresting the piston in the open position;   diverting, while the piston is in the open position, some of the fluid received from the supply orifice into the second volume; and   releasing the piston from the open position to allow movement of the piston to the closed position in response to increased pressure in the second volume.